REPORTS OF AUXILIARY SOCIETIES. 291 



Mr. Baker desired to know if, in growing a ten-acre pear orchard, where 

 time was no object, it would be advisable to plant any dwarfs. 



L. B. Potter thought that dwarfs might be profitably grown between stand- 

 ards. 



Some one inquired for a remedy for blight in pear trees. 



Mrs. D. L. Case said she had tried iron filings with some success, but had 

 found salt better. 



Prof. Beal thought salt a good remedy. 



W. H. Overholt read a well-considered paper on " small fruits for the gar- 

 den." Strawberries should be grown in hills, and the plants set 12 by 24 

 inches apart. In order to cover the entire strawberry season, three varieties 

 were desirable, and 100 of each of them would furnish sufficient fruit for a 

 family of moderate size. He recommended for early berries the Duchesse or 

 Duncan ; for medium, Wilson or Monarch of the West ; and for late, Seth 

 Boyden or Oapt. Jack. 



Of black-cap raspberries he said "the Doolittle is valuable for its earliness 

 and hardiness," and the Seneca for its superior flavor, size, and productiveness. 

 Of the reds he said the "Brandywine and Herstine would probably give good 

 satisfaction." He advised frequent and deep stirring of the soil among the 

 plants. 



Inquiry was made as to the size and value of the Gregg. 



Mr. Jones stated that they were the largest of the black-caps, and were firm 

 enough for transportation to the most distant markets. 



Mrs. D. L. Case read an exceedingly interesting paper on ornamental shrubs.* 



The society resolved to meet for the present on the second Saturday of every 

 month at 2 o'clock p. m., and that the sessions be limited to 2| hours. It was 

 resolved to have a strawberry show sometime in the month of June. 



L. B. Baker was appointed a committee to see the superintendent of State 

 buildings in regard to the future use by this society of the pioneer room. 



May Meeting. 

 Geo. W. Brown read a paper on 



VARIETIES, KEEPING QUALITIES AND CULTURE OF GRAPES. 



It is quite essential that good soil should be selected and well cultivated for 

 grapes to thrive well. It is as necessary to till a vineyard as it is a field of 

 corn. Without proper culture you cannot expect a good yield of fruit, — the 

 richer the soil the finer the flavor of the fruit will be. There must be pruning 

 and cutting back of the old wood to give the new fruit-bearing wood strength 

 and nourishment. This must be done before the sap rises in the vine. Summer 

 pruning has proved with me a success. The large growth of vine takes the 

 nourishment that the fruit should have, and by pinching off the young growth 

 to within four buds from the fruit the grapes will be larger and better quality. 

 The leaves must not be plucked from the vine, for the sun will burn them and 

 they will not ripen nor retain flavor. 



The varieties of grapes which I am cultivating in my vineyard, consisting of 

 250 vines, are among the best varieties of the eastern nurseries, the largest 

 number being Rogers' hybrids of different numbers, Hartford, Concord, 

 Delaware, Eumelan, Creveling, Autochon, Martha, Senasqua, Union Villlage, 

 Walter, Perkins, Worden's Seedling, Diana, and some other varieties. Hartford 



* la Secretary's Portfolio. 



